VOL. 11, issue 1
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A
watershed is an area of land
containing streams and rivers
that all drain into a single larger
body of water, such as a river, a
lake or an ocean. The journey of
water from stream to ocean
begins in our neighborhoods
and backyards.
Precipitation comes down
as rain, hail, snow or sleet.
Once it reaches the ground,
some water is absorbed by
trees and other plants. Water
not absorbed by roots enters the
ground and becomes part of the
water supply or runs downhill off
the surface, eventually finding
its way into a stream or river.
New Hampshire’s
© nhfg / staff photo
A watershed can cover a small area or a large stretch of land.
Small watersheds are usually part of larger watersheds. For
example, the Merrimack River watershed is a large watershed
in New Hampshire and Massachusetts that is formed by
many smaller watersheds. The Baker River, Pemigewasset
River, Winnipesaukee River and Contoocook River are all
tributaries in New Hampshire that collect rainwater from the
surrounding hills and mountains and flow together to form
the Merrimack River, which eventually
flows through Massachusetts and drains
into the Atlantic Ocean.
There are five major watersheds
in New Hampshire.
NEW HAMPSHIRE WATERSHEDS
© nhfg / victor young photo
Androscoggin River
and watershed
Connecticut River
and watershed
Merrimack River
and watershed
Piscataqua River
and watershed
Saco River
and watershed
1.
A river begins at its source or
headwaters, usually at a spring,
swamp, marsh or lake in the
mountains.
The upper parts of rivers are usually
steep, and the water flows fast,
carving a narrow channel. With the
tumbling motion, the stream picks
up small particles of soil and dead
plant material and mixes oxygen
into the water. The water is cold,
with little growing in it, and dense
tree cover blocks the sunlight.
Stonefly nymphs and black-nose
dace live here.
Downstream Journey
F
ollowing water’s journey downhill may take you through many different kinds of
waterbodies – streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and estuaries – each providing the
habitat needs for a wide variety of animals.
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© nhfg / victor young photo
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© nhfg / victor young photo
2.
As the water continues downhill, pools form between cascades of rushing water, allowing some soil
and plant material to settle out. This kind of habitat is home to brook trout, mussels and mink.
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© usfws / eric engbretson photo
4.
The point where rivers flow into another waterbody is called the
mouth of the river. In New Hampshire, rivers meet the ocean as they
go through estuaries. An estuary is where the fresh water of the river
mixes with the saltwater of the ocean. This habitat is teaming with
wildlife like horseshoe crabs, mummichog fish and great blue herons.
© usfws / gary kramer photo
© nhdfl photo
© nhfg / victor young photo
© nhfg / victor young photo
© steve nanz.com
3.
As the landscape flattens out, the water flows more slowly. You
may find freshwater wetland areas along the banks. Here, you
can find beaver, smallmouth bass and damselflies.
How much
is on Earth?
hen you look at Earth from outer space, it looks like there is plenty of water
on our planet. In fact, only a small amount of it is available for us to use. If all
the water on Earth fit into a five-gallon bucket, less than one tablespoon of it would be
available for humans and wildlife!
Of the total supply of water on earth, 97.2% is
saltwater. Only 2.8% is fresh water! Here’s where
this precious supply is found:
FRESH WATER
2.8%
0.6% is groundwater (we can use some of this water)
l 0.01% is in lakes and streams (we can use some of this water)
l 2.2% is in glaciers and icecaps
0.001% is water vapor
l
l
Water has three physical states, depending on its temperature.
Between freezing and boiling,
water is a liquid.
Ice and snow are “solid” water.
Streams, ponds and tap water
are “liquid” water.
When water is heated,
it can become a gas.
© nhfg / victor young photo
© kconnors / morguefile.com
Below freezing, water is a solid.
Steam and clouds are water
in the form of “gas.”
© Hans Hillewaert / cc by sa 3.0
More About
with surface tension.
Try floating a pin
or a paperclip on
the top of a glass
of water. A metal
pin or paper clip is
heavier than water,
but because of the
surface tension, the
water is able to
hold up the metal.
This program receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus
prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion or
sex (in educational programs). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any
program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional information, please write to:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office for Diversity and Civil Rights Programs – External Affairs
4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 130, Arlington, VA 22203
/ dreams
You can experiment
© robnroll
ACTIVITY
Water can also be attracted to other
kinds of molecules (adhesion). Capillary
action is related
to the adhesive
properties of
water. You can see
capillary action
for yourself by
placing a straw
into a glass of
water. The water
“climbs” up the
straw. Plants take
advantage of capillary
action to pull water
from the soil into
their roots and stems.
time.co
m
ater (H2O) is attracted to other water molecules. This is
called cohesion. Surface tension is the name we give to
the cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of
water. Surface tension allows insects like water striders
(above) to “skate” across the top of a pond.
Wild Times for Kids is published twice a year by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Multiple copies are available for schools and youth groups upon request. Send your request to:
N.H. Fish and Game Department, Public Affairs Division
11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 l 603-271-3211
www.WildNH.com
Support for this Wild Times provided by:
N.H. Department of Education through Math Science Partnership and State Literacy Plan
N.H. Fish and Game Department
Conserving New Hampshire’s wildlife and their habitats for over a century.
© 2010 N.H. Fish and Game Dept.
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